One fish, two fish

Have I mentioned lately how unbelievably hot it has been here? I have? Then I won't repeat myself.

It's funny to think back that the first 3 years we lived at the beach, I'm pretty sure I wore shorts about 5 times total. I was more pale living in San Diego than at any other time in my life.

And I always complained about how unbelievably cold it was.

I am definitely eating my words now. And I think my mom is finally convinced that I don't always over-exaggerate.

The two of us have been hanging out at home, which feels hotter than the 90 degrees that it is outside. So, what's a person to do? Why, get out of the house of course.

We have hit all of the local tourist spots...the zoo, the animal park, and today we went to the aquarium.

After spending a wonderful 3 hours there, we have figured out what the kids like the best about the aquarium. I'll give you three guesses.

No, not the sharks. Even though Linus did like to play with the shark puppet in the kids area.

No, not fish either. Too obvious. These guys are definitely not into obvious.

Oooh, strike three. Not the octopus either, even though Brian swears it was one of Linus' first words.

It was...Water.

It started when we first arrived, where they played in the fountain outside the entrance.


After a cursory run through the actual aquarium looking at the different fish, we found what was to be the highlight of the morning. The tide pools.






We tried to lock them up in a shark cage, but they didn't want to have anything to do with it.


Instead, they ran over to a water table where we stayed for awhile.

That is until we were eaten by a shark.

At least it's cool in the shark.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Want a great way to lose 5 lbs?

How about going from this:


To this:


Boy, do I feel so much better. Especially since my hair has been used as a climbing apparatus for the last few months.

Now Sadie and Linus have longer hair than I do.

(Here they are at the Wild Animal park running through the misters to keep cool).

*******

The birthday party went great! A friend took a bunch of pictures for us, which I will post as soon as I get them from her. (Thanks, Elayne!)

Not sure what to expect? Just picture 25 kids all running around a park on a sugar high...

A star is born

One of our weimaraner friends, who we met at the dog park long before the kids arrived, happens to work at a large company that makes infant products. When the kids were a few months old she got me in touch with a Childrens Talent Agent who recruits kids to model their products.

She also told me that they particularly like preemies because they are so small, which makes their products look better. (I guess this is like the display shoe at a store always being a size 5??)

They needed models for their new infant carriers and all we had to do was send in pictures of Linus and Sadie in their own carriers and we would proceed from there. Sadie's was pretty cute:

Linus' not so much:

But, he wasn't cooperating at all that day, so we just went with it.

Unfortunately, Linus didn't make the cut, but Sadie did. We were officially scheduled for our first photo shoot at Balboa Park, complete with "dad" and "family dog".

The timing was perfect, right after nap time and after they had their bottles....until they were delayed by 3 hours and completely disorganized. The kids starting getting really fussy (who could blame them), and the photo shoot didn't go well at all.

And that whole preemie thing making the product look better...well, let's just say that Sadie was so small that they only could see the top of her head. And this was before she had any hair.

Not surprisingly, she wasn't picked to be the star model for the infant carrier. And I never pursued her (or Linus') modeling career because it was such a pain to hurry up to get to the shoot and then wait around for hours until they are ready for you. We do enough of that at the doctor's office that I don't need more of that in my life.

Fast forward a year or so...

I have been buying Sadie's hair clips from this woman who runs her online store out of her house. Her clips are great and she donates part of her proceeds to the March of Dimes to combat prematurity. Since she's trying to get her business off the ground, she wants pictures of her customers in their clips so she can add it to her website.

So, just when I thought that we had seen the last of modeling, I get this email from her:

Hi Jen,
Oh, thank you so much for sending a picture to me! I cannot believe how GORGEOUS she is, oh my gosh, this picture should be in a magazine, i am totally blown away by her beauty!!
Check out your gorgeous daughter here
http://www.lilsugarplum.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=287&category_id=61 .

Unfortunately, i have to crop my pictures down to 450x450 so it chopped off
from the top and bottom. If there's a way on your end to get this same photo
to me smaller it might preserve the entire picture when i go to make the
demension 450x450. It's not a big deal if you can't, i just wanted you to
know why it came out the way it did.

Thank you again! :-)

Monique :-)

And so a star is born.

I wonder if she would want any pictures of Linus in her hair clips since he wears them more often than Sadie anyway. Hmmm...

...What I should have done is taken a picture of him at Sea World last week wearing a hair clip and pink rhinestone glasses since he wanted to wear the same thing as Sadie. Oh well, next time.

Just another evaluation

Today the kids had their 2 year evaluations from the Regional Center. This is the place that is paid for by the county (or city or state...I can never remember) and offers all sorts of different services for kids in need. This means that kids with a diagnosed condition like autism or cerebral palsy are accepted, as are kids that are at risk for future problems like preemies are.

After two hours of assessment in our incredibly hot house, we got some good news and some interesting news. First, the good news:

Both Linus and Sadie are doing almost everything at their adjusted age (21 months) or higher. This includes cognitive skills (thinking, learning and solving problems), gross motor, taking care of their own needs and getting along with others (which I sometimes find hard to believe).

Linus was doing a little better on gross motor skills, and Sadie was doing above a 2 yr old level in her self-help skills. This doesn't surprise me in the least since Sadie is "Miss Independent", and Linus doesn't know how to go anywhere without running.

They were a little lacking in their fine motor skills, but I think that's because most of it is assessed based on what they do with crayons. Seeing as the last time we tried to do anything with crayons or markers they looked like this:


I haven't really been working with them on it. So, I think their fine motor skills are OK, they just haven't had a lot of practice with coloring. But their ability to put things in their mouth that they shouldn't is great.

Now the interesting thing: speech.

I knew that they were a little behind in their speech, and it was the one thing that I had reported back at the beginning of the year that concerned me. To be honest, in the last month or so I haven't been all that concerned since their language has really taken off. (That is why I don't think it's bad news, just interesting news).

What I found interesting is that they are testing at a 12-15 month level. What's even more interesting is that a month ago they would have tested at or below a 12 month level. (Yes, we will be going to speech therapy).

This is news to me since I assumed they were catching up and just had to add a couple more words to their repertoire. Nope. Apparently they also need to be singing most of a song with me like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Seeing as they have never even attempted to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, they did not get credit for this. Nor did they get credit for "babbling with intonation like they are telling you a story" or "speaking in the third person for something they need, such as 'Sadie out' or 'Linus help'".

Call me naive, but I just can't imagine them speaking in such a...well, such a big kid way. I guess I should get used to the fact they aren't babies anymore. I mean they are turning 2 in less than a week!! What happened to my little kiddos?

Reminiscing

It seems like lately I've had a lot of opportunities to reflect on the last 2 years. First there was the starting up of this blog, then the making of the annual video, and more recently I've gone through all of Sadie's old clothes to give away to friends who are expecting. It is amazing to see how far they've come in such a short period of time.

I remember their little hats and diapers from when they were first born and in the NICU. Compare those to the giant #5 Pampers that they wear now!


I remember the first little stuffed animal that Sadie had in her incubator with her that was literally the same size she was. Can you believe that she was ever that small?

And look at her now...


I remember the little preemie clothes that Bruce and Laurie bought for us when I was still in the hospital. I also remember thinking that there was no way our kids would be small enough to fit into them. Little did I know that those clothes would actually swim on them until they were ready to leave the hospital to come home, when they were more than twice the size as when they were born.


I remember when they were laid side-by-side for the first time when they were both at home. And they hated it. And I was afraid that they would never have the "twin bond" that other twins had because they had been separated for so long. But little did I know that they would not only love to be around each other, they ask where the other is when they are not together and they give each other hugs and kisses on a regular basis (sometimes without any prompting).




I remember how Linus hated getting kisses or hugs from me when he was younger. And now he asks for them about 50 times a day, and sometimes more if Sadie happens to be getting a kiss. (See above).

I remember how gigantic Linus' cheeks were when he came home from the hospital. And now he's all tummy with skinny cheeks, arms, legs...actually he's just skinny except for that giant beer belly that he has.




I'm sure there are plenty of other things to reminisce about that I am forgetting, but I need to write these things down instead of waiting until after the kids go to bed and I'm sitting in front of the tv on a full stomach. But, it does make you appreciate how far they've come in just a short 2 years. I wonder what the next 2 years have in store for us?

PS) I'm sure you are all wondering why our kids are rarely wearing clothes. I swear they do have on more than just diapers when we're out in public, but when we're at home without any air conditioning it just seems the most humane.

Rock 'n' roll

This morning I took Sadie and Linus to their first concert at the local mall. Here's a picture of our fun morning:


What? It doesn't look like we're at a concert? OK, then how about this one:


Still not what you were expecting? Neither was I.

We made it to the concert that was teeming with about 50 strollers and as many kids in a pretty small space.

(And this was the back of the concert where there was hardly anyone).

After about 10 seconds, Linus wanted to be held while Sadie kept shaking her head "No" and saying "out, out". I guess they didn't inherit their father's love for loud live music.

So, we left the concert and made our way to the kids area. They had a lot more fun running through the water at the other side of the mall, especially since it is so hot. Now, I know it's nothing compared to the 100+ weather that you've had on the east coast and in Texas. But, upper 90's really is hot, particularly when you're one of those suckers without air conditioning.

I think these guys are a lot smarter than I give them credit for.

The Linus & Sadie project, part 2

After much anticipation, here is the second installment of the Linus & Sadie project.

(Note to the grandparents: DVDs are on their way).

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Linus & Sadie project, part 1

I can't believe that it has been almost 2 years since the kids were born. I do vaguely remember a few things:

The first few days with them (and me) in the hospital,

The first couple of months when both of the kids were home and we had so much help, (which was more of a blessing than anyone could ever know),

And then my memory kind of fast-forwards to them walking/running around.

I know there were a lot of months in there where they were little rolling, crawling, babbling machines, but I have forgotten so much of that now.

Good thing I still have the First Year video to remind me! Enjoy (again)...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Refined Palate

I'm sorry to say that one of the couples from our Gourmet Club is packing up and moving to greener (and colder) pastures. Paul and Amy will be in Montreal by the end of the month to start their new jobs, and we celebrated last night by throwing one last BBQ at our house.

Food was good. Company was good. Kids were pretty good. All in all a really nice night and a good way to see them off. (This was taken after the kids went to bed).


Until this morning when I realized that I have a double batch of coleslaw in the fridge that didn't get put out last night. What am I going to do with a few pounds of apple coleslaw??

Maybe the kids will eat it. They seem to have inherited our love for fine food. Just this morning we stopped by Cheesecake Factory to pick up some lunch (thanks McHughs!) and went to a local park to have a picnic.

Did the kids eat the healthy broccoli, PB&J, cheese and blueberries that I packed for them? No way! They definitely preferred my herb-crusted salmon salad and Brian's crab cake sandwich. So, they snacked on our lunch while running out-of-control down the hills where they usually ended up either tackling Brian or doing a face-plant halfway down the hill. And then to watch Sadie huff it back up the hill was hysterical. (I wish I had video of that one, but unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me).

"What about Linus?" you ask. Well, this kid is too smart for his own good. He was more than happy to run down the hill, but then waited for Brian to carry him back up. This is the same kid who most mornings will refuse to drink his milk unless you hold his cup for him. I think we've lost control somewhere...

But, back to the food.

Seeing as I am not about to start preparing 5-star meals fit for royalty every night no matter how much they refuse to eat, maybe they'll just have to live off of the goose liver pate that Paul and Amy gave us from their trip to France.

Just another day at the beach

Yes, our playgroup has officially lost its mind...

We decided to all venture out to the beach with our twins this morning. This is monumental for me because we've only been to the beach a couple of times in the past, and those times have been with several extra adults to lend a hand.

Since we decided to take the plunge (literally), I have had horrible visions of 10 kids around the age of 2 running in 10 different directions, but somehow all finding their way to water. However, for the most part, these visions were completely unfounded.

When we first arrived, one of the moms had already started digging a hole for the kids to play in. There were sand toys everywhere, buckets of water to splash around, and clean towels to fill full of sand. All of the kids loved it.

Well, almost all.

My kids were much more interested in playing in other people's wagons than trying to high-tail it to the ocean or make sand castles.

Even though I felt like we might as well have gone to the park, I should have counted my blessings. No sooner did I comment on how much easier this was than I expected then they discovered the joys of sand, and then quickly discovered their love of the water.

Yes, mine were the first in the ocean and the last to leave. Half of the kids were content to just play in the sand, but Sadie and Linus wanted to splash, stomp and fill buckets in the ocean.

After awhile we did retreat back to the sand so I could have a much needed break, but it couldn't have been so bad since I agreed to do it again in two weeks.

All in all, I guess it's just another day at the beach for us :)

Boo-Boo

Many of you know how much I love our zoo and Animal Park passes. I used to take the kids at least once a week so they could see the animals and I could get a little bit of exercise.

But, I think we went too often because they are now completely unimpressed by Okapi, Giraffes and endangered White Rhino. However, they get themselves worked up into a frenzy when we come across wild deer, squirrels, or rabbits. Oh, and when we came across a lizard the last time we were there, you'd have thought we won a million dollars and I just spent it all on Goldfish and bananas.

Well, a few months ago we discovered our new love.

Sea World.

We go with our friend Lindsay and her identical twin boys (who are also preemies - 29 weekers), but not necessarily to see the wildlife. Oh, no ma'am.

We go for the Kid Zone area.

More specifically, we go to either the big sand pit with huge metal dump trucks, or to the in-ground trampoline with large foam blocks.


Occasionally we'll make it to see Shamu swimming in the tank, or to see the Manatee. But, that's not nearly as exciting as running amok on a springy floor dodging other kids while throwing yourself into a pile of foam.

Dolphin, schmolphin.

That is, until today.

While Sadie was getting out of the trampoline pit, she must have tripped or lost her balance (I didn't see because I was getting shoes on Linus), but I heard that God-awful thump. You know the one, where it sounds like you smashed a cantaloupe on the driveway. Yeah, that one.

This little tough cookie cried for a minute and then seemed to regain her composure. That is, until I realized that her head was bleeding. Then, I lost my composure.

After frantically rushing to the First Aid station, I was told that she just had a minor laceration that had already stopped bleeding and no sign of a concussion. Then Sadie was given a dose of Tylenol, a sticker and a disposable cold compress which was by far the hit of the day.

I thought I was a pretty laid back mom with all of the bumps and bruises that these guys have endured recently, not to mention all of the preemie stuff and surgeries. But, seeing blood is a completely different scenario.

Hmmm...bubble wrap sounds like a great idea...

All aboard

When the kids turned one, Maureen bought the kids their very first train.




Then, we graduated to the train at Legoland when the McHugh's were here...


And today, we took them to the train at Balboa Park right outside of the zoo...


The funny thing about all of this train stuff is that I'm not entirely sure that the kids even enjoy it, but Brian and I sure do :)

What better excuse to ride around the park, and go through tunnels, on a little train than to drag your twins along?

God, are we going to be those parents?

Fun in the sun

I can't believe how much these guys are growing up. Just a few weeks ago I was concerned that they weren't talking, but now they are saying new things every day.
(Granted, I think part of it is that I am just now getting better at understanding what they've been saying for a little while now).

Like yesterday, Sadie kept saying "ap, ap" after I had put her shirt on and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what it was. Finally, after she had enough of my apparently low IQ, she ran to get another shirt to point out the "snaps". Ohhhh...snaps on her shirt, I get it now! Duh!

Another big kid moment happened this morning at the park. We had a pretty large turnout for playgroup this morning and almost everyone brings along other things for the kids to play with like sand toys, ride-on toys, chalk, etc.


First we had a very touching moment of sharing:


Then, Linus hopped right onto the scooter without any prompting and just started, well, scooting! How do these guys figure out how to do stuff?


Finally, they both climbed up the ladders to get to the slides instead of using the stairs. To me, this is a little more advanced than I would like them to be. I mean, I want them to grow up, but just not all at once.